Laurel, Mississippi Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Laurel, Mississippi is 17,129 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 24th-largest city in Mississippi. The median household income is $37,781, the median home value is $110,200, and the median age is 35.6.
The population has declined 5.5% since 2010 (18,530 → 17,508).
17,129
Population
928
People / sq mi
$37,781
Median Income
$110,200
Median Home Value
Laurel covers 18.5 sq mi of land at 928 people per square mile.
About Laurel, MS
Laurel is a city in Mississippi with a population of 17,129. It ranks #24 among cities in Mississippi by population. The median age is 35.6, younger than the national median. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The median household income in Laurel is $37,781, below the US median of $74,580. 25.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $110,200, with monthly rent averaging $839. The homeownership rate of 61.1% is lower than the national rate of 64.8%.
Educational attainment in Laurel reflects 20.4% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 4.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 17.0 minutes each way.
Laurel city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Laurel city had a population of 18,530 in 2010 and 17,508 in 2024, a -5.5% growth over 14 years. The peak was 18,731 in 2013. Average annual growth rate: -0.40%.
17,508
Population (2024)
18,530
Population (2010)
18,731
Peak (2013)
-0.40%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 18,530 |
| 2011 | 18,487 |
| 2012 | 18,679 |
| 2013 | 18,731 |
| 2014 | 18,694 |
| 2015 | 18,675 |
| 2016 | 18,592 |
| 2017 | 18,474 |
| 2018 | 18,449 |
| 2019 | 18,338 |
| 2020 | 17,818 |
| 2021 | 17,756 |
| 2022 | 17,694 |
| 2023 | 17,603 |
| 2024 | 17,508 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 29.1% |
| Black or African American | 64.7% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$37,781
Median Household Income
$27,893
Per Capita Income
25.9%
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$110,200
Median Home Value
$839
Median Rent
61.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
85.0%
High School+
20.4%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
87.3%
Public Transit
4.2%
Work From Home
17.0 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
17.5%
Foreign Born
92.8%
Non-English at Home
5.3%
Veterans
17.2%
With Disability
84.8%
Health Insurance
90.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Manufacturing | 23.4% |
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 19.0% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.5% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.3% |
| Construction | 5.0% |
| Retail Trade | 4.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Information | 3.3% |
| Public Administration | 2.5% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 0.6% |
Largest cities in Mississippi
Largest counties in Mississippi
Part of Mississippi
Metro areas in Mississippi
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Laurel, Mississippi has a population of 17,129 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 24th-largest city in Mississippi.
The median household income in Laurel, Mississippi is $37,781, with 25.9% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Laurel, Mississippi is $110,200, with median monthly rent at $839 and a homeownership rate of 61.1%.
The median age in Laurel, Mississippi is 35.6 years. The population is 48.4% male and 51.6% female.
The population has declined 5.5% since 2010 (18,530 → 17,508).
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Full rankings of Mississippi cities by population
Statewide data for Mississippi
Population, race, income, age, and trends across Mississippi
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.